Rural Broadband Internet

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

Broadband, specifically the lack thereof, has been a topic of discussion in rural Virginia for several years. After years of no progress at the State or Regional level, and no interest from the private sector, King and Queen County decided to move forward with its own broadband initiative. In 2012, the County established the King and Queen County Wireless Services Authority to provide wireless broadband coverage. King and Queen’s network was incorporated into the design and “rides upon” the public safety communications linear microwave backhaul to distribute broadband the length of the County. The program, available online at KQVA.net, utilized four existing tower sites, which provide 70-75 percent coverage throughout the county.